Howard Brown Health, a US-based healthcare organisation serving the LGBTQ+ community, has confirmed plans to shut down two of its clinics in Chicago, Illinois, by the early fourth quarter of this year.  

The two Howard Brown health facilities are Thresholds South Clinic at 734 West 47th Street and Diversey Clinic at 2800 North Sheridan Road.  

Howard Brown said that the latest decision was mainly driven by the ongoing financial shortfall within the organisation. 

The move has further been attributed to the departure of sole providers associated with each Chicago location, marking the culmination of respective commercial lease agreements. 

All the operations at the Diversey site and Thresholds South clinic are expected to cease by 31 August and 30 September 2024, respectively. 

Howard Brown Health stated that it will assist all patients from both sites to ensure the continuity of their primary and/or psychiatric healthcare needs. 

Following the closure of these two clinics, the organisation plans to accommodate affected patients at other Howard Brown clinics that are located within a 15-minute radius of their current healthcare facilities.  

Howard Brown has already informed the majority of the staff and providers impacted by the closures, while the company is also making efforts to reassign them to other active locations within the network.  

The organisation does not expect to reduce its workforce due to these closures. 

Howard Brown Health interim president and CEO Robin Gay said: “These closures mark a business decision that will ensure our ability to serve patients with quality care for the next 50 years.  

“As we continue to work to achieve fiscal sustainability, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide core health care services to all individuals in our community, regardless of their ability to pay.” 

Howard Brown is currently grappling with a financial shortfall, with an expected deficit of $6.6m. This situation has been brought on by changes in the funding landscape, the company said.  

In response, the organisation is refining its operations to be more efficient while reinforcing its core services, which include behavioural health, primary care, and dental care. 

Further information regarding the clinic closures will be provided to the affected patients and staff members by Howard Brown in due course.